In a major crackdown on substandard construction, the Indian government has decided to impose stringent penalties on highway builders responsible for serious structural failures. Contractors will now face a two-year ban from bidding for national highway projects following a "major incident."
Strict New Rules for Government-Funded Projects
The decisive action has been approved by Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari for all fully government-funded highway projects. These projects constitute the largest share of national highway works currently underway across the country.
The ban will be triggered from the date of a catastrophic event, which includes incidents like bridge collapses, reinforced wall failures, and severe damage to newly built roads. A government source explained that a specific provision for such "catastrophic" damage or failure has been incorporated into the official contract documents to enable this action.
"This will be a big deterrent. The parameters are very objective. Currently, in most cases contractors are banned for a brief period and contractors take corrective measures at their own cost," the source stated.
Public Ire and Recent Incidents Prompt Action
The ministry's move comes as a direct response to growing public anger over poor quality infrastructure. There have been multiple instances where newly constructed roads suffered significant damage even before they were officially opened to traffic.
Official data presented to Parliament reveals the scale of the problem. Last year alone, there were 17 instances of structural collapses on major highway projects. Notable examples include failures on the:
- Delhi-Vadodara Expressway
- Dwarka Expressway
- NH-48 in Gujarat
- NH-66 in Kerala
These repeated failures have highlighted the urgent need for stricter accountability and higher construction standards.
Ongoing Scrutiny and Future Implications
In a related development, Minister Gadkari's office has intensified its oversight. It has sought comprehensive details of all show-cause notices issued to contractors since January 2024. The review includes the responses received from the companies and the subsequent actions taken by authorities.
This new policy marks a significant shift from the previous approach of short-term bans. By enforcing a two-year exclusion, the government aims to compel contractors to prioritize quality and safety from the initial stages of construction. The industry is now on notice that severe lapses will lead to long-term disqualification from India's massive national highway development program.
